Speedy 20-Minute Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta
This quick and delicious pasta dish features a rich and creamy garlic parmesan sauce, perfect for a satisfying meal in just 20 minutes. It's an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave comfort food.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet or deep pan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz oz short pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle work wonderfully)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth (optional, but adds depth)
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, plus extra for garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)
Instructions
Main Steps
- Cook your chosen pasta in heavily salted boiling water until al dente, reserving about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, sauté chopped onion in olive oil in a skillet until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- (Optional) Deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken broth, simmering until reduced by half to enhance flavor.
- Reduce heat to low, then pour in heavy cream and gently simmer until it thickens slightly.
- Add the drained pasta, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley to the sauce, stirring until well combined and the cheese melts; add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Season the pasta generously with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired, adjusting to taste.
- Ladle the pasta into bowls, then garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley for serving.
Notes
For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding some chopped cooked bacon or pancetta during the sautéing step with the onion and garlic.